Today we’d like to introduce you to Lateefah Conner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was a child used to ask my dad, “Daddy, can I touch that snake?” or whatever animal it was. He would always say “yes!”. Part of my love for animals is rooted in the fact that I was raised in an abusive home. I didn’t know it was trauma. It was just a way of life. Even our dog was not spared. My favorite thing to do as a child was to walk in the creek and woods behind our house. I was a true nature girl, and I loved animals too. I had all kinds of pets, from turtles, snakes, chickens, hamsters, a duck, and we always had a cat and a dog. I used to celebrate my pet turtle by taking her to school and feeding her worms in front of the class. Animals were my out, my safe place where I could just love them unconditionally.
I believe that although I had a traumatic childhood, I knew I had to excel in life. As a child, I had to make A’s & B’s in school, which is why I excelled in education and graduated from Spelman College with a B.S., and Rutgers University Graduate School with a Master of Public Policy.
The idea of Pet Party Palace came about in December 2024 when I asked ChatGPT questions about what would be a good business for downtown Macon. Pet venue was one of the businesses given, and it took me back to a few years ago when I had the idea to give birthday parties to pets. I knew I had locked onto something as I could hardly sleep that night because I was so excited. Five months later, I had my ribbon-cutting and Grand Opening!
This is a venue where pet owners can celebrate their pets’ special occasions, where pets can play, and memories can be captured at an on-site photography studio. I have over 16 years of business experience as I was the co-founder & CFO of Conner Dental Associates, and I’m currently a realtor. My work history as a public servant gives me a unique skill set to handle all aspects of being a successful entrepreneur. My current pets include two bunnies, two frogs, and two turtles.
Pet Party Palace taps into one of my guiding values, joy. My love for animals brings me joy, and I will spread this joy to others by providing a safe and fun environment for pet owners and the pets they love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say overall it’s been a smooth process, in large part due to my business background. I’m a high implementor, and I love to accomplish goals and find solutions. I believe in always gaining knowledge, and this helped me greatly.
In January 2025, I was selected to be a participant in the Pleasant Hill Business Accelerator class. This is where I decided on the name for my business, my logo, and did my first pitch. By February, I was selected for the Entrepreneur’s Academy held by NewTown Macon. I was able to apply what I learned in real-time. I won second place in the pitch contest, which included a $3,000 cash award. I completed my class on May 6th and had my ribbon-cutting on May 16th.
One challenge was getting the contractor to complete work on time, so to overcome this challenge, I had to think outside the box and find another person to help me. I did not initially pass my inspection by the fire department, but I made the recommended changes, and this was the last thing I needed to get my business licence.
I was fortunate to have start-up funds from our personal savings. In order to discontinue using our personal funds, I applied for a business loan and received a $50,000 loan from NewTown Macon. The closing was Sept. 29th.
I felt that I needed a better handle on marketing, and to this end, I applied for and was accepted into NewTown Macon’s Marketing Academy. This is a 12-week course that meets monthly. We are currently at week 4.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Prior to starting our dental practice in 2005, I worked at the Fulton County Human Services Department. I managed several federal and state-funded programs, such as the HOME Program, which helped low-income families with housing. I was responsible for multi-million dollar budgets, and I interacted with several divisions within the department. You could say that I’ve always loved helping others, and I strongly believe in leadership through service or servant leadership.
I worked at the Clayton County Housing Authority and had the role of Deputy Director. I mainly oversaw the EAG Program (Emergency Assistance Grant), and I worked with various contractors who bid on jobs. I was comfortable speaking in front of others and planned and moderated the Board Retreats.
My work career started in Cobb County with the CDBG Program Office. In this role, I managed the HOME Program and also monitored other local governments via the Georgia Urban County Consortium, which consisted of the counties of Cobb, Gwinettt, Fulton, and the City of Marietta. My last position prior to moving to Macon was with the Cobb County Finance Department, where I was a Grant Writer. In this role, I met with 46 departments and mapped the flow of grants via detailed flow charts. I was only there six months, but during this time, I applied for two Federal Grants on behalf of the Solicitor General’s Office.
I would say that most people know me as one who takes action and goes after what she wants. I’m a very self-driven person, and I believe in being the change I want to see. To this end, in 2020, I ran for U.S. Congress to unseat Majorie Taylor Green in the 14th District. This was a great learning experience as I had never run for office before. I just remember thinking someone should do something…then I realized that someone was me.
I’d have to say that what I’m most proud of is my volunteer experience. I served for four years on the Kennesaw Public Safety Foundation Board and was the Chair for one year. I was a board member of the Paulding County Boys & Girls Club. I spent a short time in the Peace Corps as part of my graduate studies. I currently serve on the board of Out and Up, Inc., here in Macon.
I served as the Chaplain of the Auxiliaries Unit of Post 111 of the American Legion, and I was a member of their riders club (I ride a Harley). I went through Leadership Paulding. I had memberships in the Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Clubs of Paulding and North Cobb. I have a strong sense of community, and I carry this with me today. I started the first Chapter of Amnesty International on a Black college campus. After I graduated from Spelman in 1989, I had the opportunity to attend the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in Pyongyang, North Korea. The current leader’s grandfather was in power at that time. I even had the opportunity to visit the DMZ. This festival brought people together from all over the world, and this is truly an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was like Elly Mae Clampett from the show “The Beverly Hillbillies”! Always in the woods and having several pets. I was a tomboy and would go into the sewer to retrieve balls. In elementary school, I was a Sergeant in the Patrol Unit. I was a part of 4-H and was even on TV once, talking about my pet turtle. I had a dissecting kit as a kid and would only dissect something that had already died. I was inquisitive, and although the environment was tough, I didn’t have a fear of things.
I was the youngest, even when my dad remarried, and there were 8 of us. As I mentioned before, I was raised in an abusive home. To this end, I would say I was a survivalist. I witnessed a lot and heard a lot. I was never to go off the street, yet I did often go off the street, even knowing what the consequences would be. I guess you could say I was a risk-taker at my young age. I once walked way off our street to a store that was very far. My dad drove by and picked me up. I did not get in trouble that time.
I couldn’t come home crying that someone beat me up, so I did fight boys. (We’re from the Bronx and had to be tough). Kids would pick at us and say we talked proper or funny.
I had an entrepreneurial spirit, as one time I took pens to school to sell for 5 cents. The morning I took them to school, I was hit in the head with a broom for having them. But, obviously, that didn’t stop my entrepreneurial spirit! 🙂
There was always work to do in the yard. We built our own swimming pool, and I helped put on the roof of the garage in the backyard. Oftentimes, I would come home to a dumpster truckload of dirt that was used to level off the yard. So I knew hard work as a kid.
I also played flute and was in the chorus in elementary school. In high school, I was in the concert and marching band and was a Drum Majorette my senior year. I had to try out for this, and in my teen years, I was somewhat shy. So this was a big deal. I played basketball too, which was something I had never done before. I tried out and made the team.
Pricing:
- $19.99 Self-Wash 30 mins
- $24.99 Private Playtime
- $149 Starting Price of Parties
- $149 Starting Price of Photoshoots
- $49, $79, $499 Membership Packages
Contact Info:
- Website: www.petpartypalace.com
- Instagram: pet_party_palace
- Facebook: Pet Party Palace
- Other: pet.party.palace (tik tok)
